The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX Set Crossover Growth Pace; Customers Also Snap Up Hybrids, Cars, Sync - VIDEO ENHANCED


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)
Lincoln MKX gets introduced at the 2007 LA Auto Show

* Ford Motor Company sales totaled 182,951 in November, up 0.4 percent versus a year ago.

* All-new Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX paced Ford, Lincoln and Mercury crossovers to a sales increase of 119 percent; year-to-date crossover sales were up 63 percent.

* Ford Focus posts 18 percent sales gain and Ford Fusion sales were up 39 percent.

* SYNC-equipped units are turning fast and elevating opinions and consideration for Ford.

* Lincoln retail sales were higher for the 14th month in a row.

* Ford announces first quarter 2008 North American production.

SEE ALSO: Ford Buyers Guide and Lincoln Buyers Guide

DEARBORN - December 3, 2007: Continued growth in crossover sales and increased demand for hybrids, fuel-efficient cars and Ford's industry-exclusive SYNC in-car connectivity technology drove Ford Motor Company's sales in November. Company sales totaled 182,951, up 0.4 percent versus a year ago. November marked the first sales increase following 12 months of declines.

CLICK HERE to watch the complete Ford/Lincoln Press Conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

"It is encouraging to see our newest cars, crossovers, hybrids and industry-first SNYC technology resonating with customers," said Mark Fields, president, The Americas. "Continuing to deliver more quality products that people really want and carefully gauging customer demand in the months ahead will help ensure we stay on track with our plan."

Consumer demand continues to grow for the all-new Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossover utility vehicles. Edge sales were 12,594 and Lincoln MKX sales were 3,360. Total sales of crossover utilities, including the redesigned Ford Escape, Ford Taurus X, and Mercury Mariner were 33,271, up 119 percent compared with a year ago. Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid models set November sales records.

Sales of the new 2008 Ford Focus were up 18 percent compared with a year ago. Focus is one of 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models equipped with SYNC, an affordable, industry-exclusive in-car connectivity technology that fully integrates most Bluetooth-enabled cell phones and MP3 players into a customer's driving experience.

"All of our SYNC-equipped models are turning quickly," said Fields. "Affordable technology that integrates mobile communication and entertainment devices appears to be resonating with consumers. Beyond that, SYNC appears to be changing opinions about Ford and elevating consideration for our products and brands."

Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan also contributed to the company's November sales increase. Fusion sales were up 39 percent and Milan sales increased 43 percent.

Lincoln continued its winning streak in November as retail sales climbed 4 percent. November marked the 14th straight month of higher retail sales for the premium brand. Total Lincoln sales in November were down 7 percent, reflecting lower fleet sales.

In November, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales to individual retail customers were 3 percent lower than a year ago. Sales to daily rental companies were down 6 percent, but sales to commercial fleet and government customers were up 25 percent.

North American Production
In the first quarter of 2008, the company plans to produce 685,000 vehicles in North America. This is the initial forecast of first quarter production. In the first quarter of 2007, the company produced 740,000 vehicles. Fourth-quarter 2007 production is 645,000 units, unchanged from the previously announced plan.

Note: The sales data included in this release and the accompanying tables are based largely on data reported by dealers representing their sales to retail and fleet customers.

               FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOVEMBER 2007 U.S. SALES

                     November Month      %        November CYTD       %
                     --------------               -------------
                     2007      2006    Change    2007       2006    Change
                     ----      ----    ------    ----       ----    ------
  Sales By Brand
    Ford           147,310   147,791    -0.3  1,927,596  2,242,172   -14.0
    Mercury         13,204    10,344    27.6    155,791    167,039    -6.7
    Lincoln          8,744     9,410    -7.1    121,422    107,670    12.8
    Jaguar           1,114     1,256   -11.3     14,161     19,130   -26.0
    Volvo            8,227     9,229   -10.9     96,872    107,282    -9.7
    Land Rover       4,352     4,229     2.9     44,663     41,760     7.0
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
      Total Ford
       Motor
       Company     182,951   182,259     0.4  2,360,505  2,685,053   -12.1

  Memo: Cars and Trucks
    Cars            60,383    61,852    -2.4    770,113  1,024,042   -24.8
    Trucks         122,568   120,407     1.8  1,590,392  1,661,011    -4.3
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
      Total Ford
       Motor
       Company     182,951   182,259     0.4  2,360,505  2,685,053   -12.1

                   FORD BRAND NOVEMBER 2007 U.S. SALES

                     November Month      %        November CYTD       %
                     --------------               -------------
                     2007      2006    Change    2007       2006    Change
                     ----      ----    ------    ----       ----    ------
  Crown Victoria     5,170     3,455    49.6     56,456     58,712    -3.8
  Taurus (New)       3,779         0      NA     26,720          0      NA
  Five Hundred         116     3,437   -96.6     35,050     77,529   -54.8
  Fusion            12,278     8,844    38.8    136,007    129,838     4.8
  Focus             13,213    11,213    17.8    159,190    163,455    -2.6
  Mustang            7,352    10,230   -28.1    126,311    155,285   -18.7
  Taurus (Old)           0     5,715  -100.0          0    174,461  -100.0
  Thunderbird            0         0      NA          0        469  -100.0
  GT                     0       261  -100.0        231      1,861   -87.6
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
    Total Ford Cars 41,908    43,155    -2.9    539,965    761,610   -29.1

  Escape            12,383    10,126    22.3    152,294    142,792     6.7
  Edge              12,594         0      NA    116,403          0      NA
  Taurus X           2,608         0      NA     13,666          0      NA
  Freestyle            120     2,740   -95.6     23,677     55,312   -57.2
  Explorer           8,609    10,599   -18.8    126,930    165,845   -23.5
  Expedition         5,627     7,672   -26.7     82,771     76,431     8.3
  Excursion              0         0      NA          0        965  -100.0
  Freestar               0     1,597  -100.0      2,390     49,241   -95.1
  Econoline/Club
   Wagon            11,100    12,405   -10.5    153,876    164,458    -6.4
  Ranger             4,938     5,421    -8.9     67,147     84,071   -20.1
  F-Series          46,568    52,727   -11.7    635,520    725,459   -12.4
  Low Cab Forward      151       201   -24.9      2,573      3,258   -21.0
  Heavy Trucks         704     1,148   -38.7     10,384     12,730   -18.4
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
    Total Ford
     Trucks        105,402   104,636     0.7  1,387,631  1,480,562    -6.3
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
    Total Ford
     Brand         147,310   147,791    -0.3  1,927,596  2,242,172   -14.0

            LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND NOVEMBER 2007 U.S. SALES

                     November Month                November CYTD
                     --------------      %         -------------      %
                     2007      2006    Change    2007       2006    Change
                     ----      ----    ------    ----       ----    ------

  Grand Marquis      4,702     2,469    90.4     46,577     51,123    -8.9
  Sable (New)        1,102         0      NA      8,980          0      NA
  Montego               78       932   -91.6     10,683     20,591   -48.1
  Milan              3,449     2,417    42.7     34,312     32,980     4.0
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
    Total Mercury
     Cars            9,331     5,818    60.4    100,552    104,694    -4.0

  Town Car             488     3,032   -83.9     26,545     35,278   -24.8
  LS                     0         0      NA          0      8,797  -100.0
  MKZ                2,712     3,028   -10.4     31,190     29,319     6.4
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
    Total Lincoln
     Cars            3,200     6,060   -47.2     57,735     73,394   -21.3
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
    Total Mercury
     and Lincoln
     Cars           12,531    11,878     5.5    158,287    178,088   -11.1

  Mariner            2,206     2,361    -6.6     32,610     30,961     5.3
  Mountaineer        1,667     1,966   -15.2     21,929     27,079   -19.0
  Monterey               0       199  -100.0        700      4,305   -83.7
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
    Total Mercury
     Trucks          3,873     4,526   -14.4     55,239     62,345   -11.4

  MKX                3,360         0      NA     34,097          0      NA
  Navigator          1,672     2,420   -30.9     21,759     20,967     3.8
  Aviator                0         0      NA          0      1,711  -100.0
  Mark LT              512       930   -44.9      7,831     11,598   -32.5
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
    Total Lincoln
     Trucks          5,544     3,350    65.5     63,687     34,276    85.8
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
    Total Mercury
     and Lincoln
     Trucks          9,417     7,876    19.6    118,926     96,621    23.1
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
    Total Mercury
     and Lincoln
     Vehicles       21,948    19,754    11.1    277,213    274,709     0.9

    Total Lincoln
     Brand           8,744     9,410    -7.1    121,422    107,670    12.8
    Total Mercury
     Brand          13,204    10,344    27.6    155,791    167,039    -6.7

                  JAGUAR BRAND NOVEMBER 2007 U.S. SALES

                     November Month                November CYTD
                     --------------      %         -------------      %
                     2007      2006    Change    2007       2006    Change
                     ----      ----    ------    ----       ----    ------

  XJ                   294       388   -24.2      3,931      4,484   -12.3
  S-TYPE               209       274   -23.7      3,182      5,609   -43.3
  X-TYPE               298       270    10.4      2,897      4,930   -41.2
  XK                   313       324    -3.4      4,151      4,107     1.1
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
    Total Jaguar     1,114     1,256   -11.3     14,161     19,130   -26.0

                   VOLVO BRAND NOVEMBER 2007 U.S. SALES

                     November Month                November CYTD
                     --------------      %         -------------      %
                     2007      2006    Change    2007       2006    Change
                     ----      ----    ------    ----       ----    ------

  C30                  389         0      NA      1,733          0      NA
  S40                1,239     2,228   -44.4     16,997     22,986   -26.1
  V50                  239       328   -27.1      2,665      3,856   -30.9
  S60                1,575     2,228   -29.3     17,043     24,337   -30.0
  V70                  326       324     0.6      3,428      5,314   -35.5
  XC70               1,153       890    29.6     11,179     12,233    -8.6
  C70                  298       418   -28.7      4,220      3,471    21.6
  S80                  764        37  1964.9     11,614      5,250   121.2
  XC90               2,244     2,776   -19.2     27,993     29,835    -6.2
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
    Total Volvo      8,227     9,229   -10.9     96,872    107,282    -9.7

                LAND ROVER BRAND NOVEMBER 2007 U.S. SALES

                     November Month                November CYTD
                     --------------      %         -------------      %
                     2007      2006    Change    2007       2006    Change
                     ----      ----    ------    ----       ----    ------

  Range Rover        1,020     1,216   -16.1     10,940     10,437     4.8
  Range Rover Sport  1,417     1,827   -22.4     15,138     16,290    -7.1
  LR3                  950     1,184   -19.8     10,328     14,990   -31.1
  LR2                  965         0      NA      8,256          0      NA
  Discovery              0         0      NA          0          1      NA
  Freelander             0         2      NA          1         42   -97.6
                   -------   -------          ---------  ---------
    Total Land Rover 4,352     4,229     2.9     44,663     41,760     7.0